She was so shocked at this man’s words she staggered slightly and the old man pulled a chair from behind the counter for her to sit on. He watched her with concern. “Sit, sit.”

“But Sir how could you know my Mother, even I don’t remember her well?” She accepted a cup of some warm liquid from him.

“I didn’t know her well but still I thought she was a very special lady, maybe I like to think I knew her better than I really did, I don’t suppose she would remember me anyway. I fell in love a little when I first saw her, you are very much like her. Tell me what brings you into this kind of town?”

She could barely grasp what he was saying to her. Why wouldn’t she live round here? “I’m sorry Sir.”

It was getting late and the street lights had just come on. What had started out as an adventure to find a new dress was turning into a fruitless search.

They were either too much money or dresses that she wouldn’t wear they were tacky and cheap.

The euphoria she has felt earlier had all but gone ….Shoulders slumped she started to make her way back to her room..That lonely room..Where the nightmares always came.

Turning the corner she saw some twinkling lights come on and noticed a little shop..It lay back from the other shops which surrounded the markets stalls.

She drew closer and saw a delightful little Christmas scene in the window someone had decorated it so beautifully, everything twinkled and sparkled, she wondered who had been so artistic and clever, it caught her breathe, it was very lovely. The…

Carl needed that necklace, the stupid girl didn’t know it’s worth nor its history he couldn’t even comprehend how it had fallen into her hands. He didn’t even know why it had fallen to him to get from her all his boss had said was that it was his responsibility to get it back. He could see the look in her eyes when he spoke to her and he knew he could win her trust, she liked him.

He strolled through the market feeling very pleased with himself, he would see her again very soon.

She reached her room and caught her breath before she went inside, running away had left her breathless. Stupid, stupid girl she told herself, ‘I’ve missed my opportunity now.’ She wondered why she couldn’t be like other women and accept a gentleman’s advances, now she’d messed things up, maybe her…

Mr James sat in his chair his thoughts troubled. What should he tell the child? He still thought of her as a child and was trying to protect her but she was an adult now and asking questions. Questions to which she deserved an answer, but answers which could put her in grave danger.

Kathy burst in the room.

Mr James “That poor girl, you really must tell her about her past and her parents, before someone else does.”

“None of your business Kathy. I will, when I am ready and not before.”

Kathy looked at him. Gave a tut and flounced out of the room.

Meanwhile Carl was pondering and wondering how best he could get a closer look at that necklace without raising the girl’s suspicions.

She was leaving the house and looked happy as she headed in the direction of the market. She stopped…

She walked along the street, she still couldn’t shake off the afterthoughts of the dream. The feeling of happiness the card had offered dissipated and she started to feel uncomfortable for no apparent reason, she picked up her stride and headed to her bosses house. She walked past a bakers and the smell of the newly baked bread almost drew her in, she promised herself she would go in on her way home and treat herself to something sweet with the money she was due, the display in the window held trays or oatcakes and a beautiful sponge cake, she silently wished she could afford to fritter her money on something that trivial. She turned right into a long row of houses, these were a much better class than the house she had to live in and here there was only one family to a house. Each house…